2018 Fasting Guide – Day Thirteen

ACKNOWLEDGE THE NEED TO CHANGE

There is so much God has planned for His people to enjoy, and to accomplish as well. Part of the reason that it seems unobtainable at times is because we have religion, which kills the Spirit. By that, I am not talking about denominations, I am talking about bondage. Religion is a system that holds you to a bunch of rules, as though keeping rules would work. We all know all that does is cause us to see our inability to obey the rules in our own strength.

The entire Old Testament was to show us rules and to help us understand what NOT to do. Without the Spirit of God, the rules are impossible for us to accomplish anyway. It is just temporary, somewhat enabling us to momentarily overcome until we fail at trying.

Religion is obvious when you begin to examine what you do and why you do it. Do you spend time with God because He is exciting to be with and He is the center of your life and thoughts, or do you just visit Him with a list of needs in your hand? Do you remind yourself to give Him your first attention and affection? I have a sign in my kitchen to remind me. (Okay, sometimes I need coffee—just saying!) The sign by my coffee maker says, “In the morning—give me Jesus.” It is a great reminder to drink of Him along with my coffee! It reminds me to keep Him in my mind and have continual conversations with Him throughout the day.

If we become so accustomed to God being there for us that we take Him for granted, eventually our relationship will become just so-so. Religion will begin to take over your heart with things you have to do to try to please Him or others. It will no longer be a relationship that causes you to come alive to the truth of His continued love for you that causes you to love Him right back!

Religion makes you go to church for appearance, without looking forward to what you will receive AND what you can contribute by offering your ALL to Him in a corporate setting! If you are going through the motions but there is no life in it, then religion has crept into your heart. There has to be joy in your journey with God. He doesn’t want robots; He wants a family that looks forward to dining with Him, discussing their day, asking Him questions, trusting His promises and enjoying each other’s company.

Religion DEMANDS your time and attention, but relationship offers your time and affection. Today, for us to be ALL OUT of religion, we must be willing to see the need for change. Why do we do what we do? Who are we doing it for? Is what we are doing FOR God more important than what we are doing WITH GOD? We can’t step into the new if we don’t step out of the old, and we can’t step out of the old unless we recognize that it is old! God has fresh new things for us every morning. Let us rid ourselves of stale relationship with God today. Be honest, like this:

18 And I say, perished is my strength and my expectation from the Lord. 19 [O Lord] remember [earnestly] my affliction and my misery, my wandering and my outcast state, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul has them continually in remembrance and is bowed down within me.
Lamentations 3:18-20 AMP

The recognition of where he was caused Solomon to recognize the need to change. Then he could! We can also rise up and realize it is a new day.

21 But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: 22 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. [Isa 33:2.] 24 The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. 25 The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. 26 It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21-26 AMP

Let us step into the new and renew our love relationship with Him. It should be new every morning as well. Have your Jesus every morning, and drink deep! It keeps religion away and relationship brewing. Did you see how I said that?